narcotic 1 of 2

narcotic

2 of 2

noun

as in opiate
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security an irradicable sense of self-righteousness seems to be the narcotic that inures these religious fanatics from any realization of the harm they have done

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of narcotic
Adjective
As for new whistleblower Reed’s allegations involving Endo’s leading narcotic painkiller — a far more dangerous drug than Lidoderm — the Justice Department took them seriously at first. Bob Fernandez, ProPublica, 17 Dec. 2024 Drug and narcotic violations also saw an increase, rising by 3.7%. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 May 2025
Noun
Hale, 55, served in the department for 26 years working in narcotics, undercover and eventually serving as a department spokesperson and deputy chief. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2025 Sanchez started in Fresno as a prosecutor in the narcotics and violent crime unit in 2005, Horwood said. Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for narcotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narcotic
Adjective
  • This week, Tyler, the Creator surprise releases a dance-forward LP, Drake teams up with Central Cee for a hypnotic club banger, and Lola Young delivers some sunny escapism.
    Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2025
  • Osbourne sang in the high howl of a man being burned at the stake, and his melodies unfolded in a slow, hypnotic smolder.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • Changes in the level or quality of opiates, fentanyl or other synthetic drugs can dramatically raise risks.
    Sophia Tiedge, jsonline.com, 17 July 2025
  • Bumgarner spoke about his priorities in office, including fighting violent crime, stopping the flow of opiates and protecting kids and aging Kentuckians.
    Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • She was charged for intentionally distributing a drug called Tranq — a mix of Fentanyl and the animal tranquilizer Xylazine.
    Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
  • The drug, which is commonly used as a tranquilizer for large animals in veterinary medicine, causes extreme sedation, slow breathing and skin ulcers when ingested by humans.
    Molly Gibbs, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • After numbing the scrotal skin with a local anesthetic, the urologist makes a small opening in the skin, often so small that no stitches or scalpels are needed.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
  • When that had little effect, hospital staff gave him ketamine, an anesthetic used for surgery, and Estupinan was intubated for his safety.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • This nursery is soothing and peaceful, yet offers plenty of room to create, imagine, and explore through play.
    Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 18 July 2025
  • Lavender’s movement in the breeze and soothing scent add more sensory layers to the space.
    Lauren Dunec Hoang, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • Saltz: Lorazepam is in the class of medications called benzodiazepines, which is a depressant, and also sometimes referred to as a sedative hypnotic medication.
    Ben Tinker, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025
  • In any case, chamomile flowers—which look like adorable, tiny daisies—contain flavonoids, terpenoids, and coumarins which certainly have mildly sedative, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties.
    Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Narcotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narcotic. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on narcotic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!